Tomson Highway

Tomson Highway, born on December sixth, nineteen fifty-one, is a celebrated Indigenous Canadian writer and musician whose contributions span various genres, including playwriting, novel writing, and children's literature. His works often reflect his rich cultural heritage and personal experiences, making him a prominent figure in contemporary Canadian literature.

Highway is perhaps best known for his acclaimed plays, such as The Rez Sisters and Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing. Both of these remarkable works earned him the prestigious Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play, as well as the Floyd S. Chalmers Award, solidifying his status as a leading voice in Canadian theater.

In addition to his theatrical achievements, Highway published the novel Kiss of the Fur Queen in nineteen ninety-eight. This poignant narrative draws from the events surrounding the tragic death of his brother, René Highway, due to AIDS, showcasing Highway's ability to weave personal and cultural narratives into his storytelling.

Moreover, he made history by writing the libretto for The Journey or Pimooteewin, the first opera in the Cree language, further demonstrating his commitment to preserving and promoting Indigenous culture through the arts.